Bicycle Handlebar Cushioning Assembly

ABSTRACT

A bicycle handlebar cushioning assembly includes a mount for positioning on and releasably engaged by and retained on bicycle handlebars. The mount releasably snaps onto and frictionally engages the bicycle handlebars. The mount has a first end and a second end and is elongated from the first end to the second end. A cushioning member is non-removably attached to the mount. The cushioning member is resiliently compressible.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR ASA TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention (2) Descriptionof Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to handlebar cushion devices andmore particularly pertains to a new handlebar cushion device for that isremovably mountable and positionable on bicycle handlebars to cushionthe lower palm area of a person gripping the handlebars.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above bygenerally comprising a mount for positioning on and releasably engagedby and retained on bicycle handlebars. The mount releasably snaps ontoand frictionally engages the bicycle handlebars. The mount has a firstend and a second end and is elongated from the first end to the secondend. A cushioning member is non-removably attached to the mount. Thecushioning member is resiliently compressible.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the disclosure in order that the detailed descriptionthereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that thepresent contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There areadditional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features ofnovelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out withparticularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of thisdisclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than thoseset forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective in-use view of a bicycle handlebarcushioning assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosuretaken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosureutilizing a gel material.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosureutilizing a foam material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through6 thereof, a new handlebar cushion device embodying the principles andconcepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated bythe reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the bicycle handlebarcushioning assembly 10 generally comprises a mount 12 configured toreleasably engage and be retained on a set of bicycle handlebars 14. Thebicycle handlebars 14 are conventional and may in particular comprisewhat are known as drop bars 16 used on road bikes such as those found inlong distance and race bicycling. These types of bicycle handlebars 14generally include a stem, not shown, attached to a crosspiece 18 havinga pair of opposed ends. To each of the opposed ends is attached a drop,or drop bars 16, which extends forward from the crosspiece 18 and thenarcs downwardly and back to form a laterally angled U-shaped structure.The junctures of the crosspiece 18 and the drops 16 are also formed byarcs.

The mount 12 has a first end 20 and a second end 22 and is elongatedfrom the first end 20 to the second end 22. The mount 12, by beingelongated, will typically be contoured to match the contour of sectionsof the bicycle handlebars 14 and in particular the arcs in thetransitions from the crosspiece 18 to the drop bars 16 and the arcs inthe drop bars 16 themselves. These contours, used to fit the arcuateportions of the bicycle handlebars 14, ensure that the mount 12 will notrotate with respect to the bicycle handlebars 14. As can be seen in theFigures, the assembly 10 may comprise a plurality of modular cushionattachments wherein two of the assemblies 10 are positioned on thecrosspiece 18, on either side of the step, and each of the drop bars 16may further include one of the assemblies 10. Some road bike handlebarsinclude yet other sections being defined as lower grips, not shown,which extend from free ends of the drops bars 16 toward each other. Ifsuch lower grips are present, an example of which is shown at element 80in U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,508 incorporated herein as a reference,assemblies 10 may be positioned thereon as well.

The mount 12, of each assembly 10 or modular cushion attachment, has aperimeter wall 24 extending between the first 20 and second 22 ends. Theperimeter wall has an elongated break 26 therein extending between andthrough the first 20 and second 22 ends. A first free edge 28 of theperimeter wall 24 and a second free edge 30 of the perimeter wall 24 aredefined on opposite sides of the break 26 and are opposed with respectto each other. The break 26 may be widened, as needed, to receive thebicycle handlebars 14 such that the mount 12 snaps onto and frictionallyengages the bicycle handlebars 14. The perimeter wall 24 has an upperportion 32 and a lower portion 34 positioned opposite of each other. Acentral portion 36 may be defined between the upper 32 and lower 34portions and the break 26 is positioned in the lower portion 34. Theterm “lower portion” herein is defined to generally mean a portion ofthe mount 12 that is faced downward and away or outwardly and away froma rider of the bicycle. Typically the break 26 will be positioned on abottom surface of the bicycle handlebars 14 so that a rider's palms arepositioned on the mount 12 opposite of the break 26.

The mount 12 is comprised of a resiliently bendable material. Thebendable material may comprise a plastic material, carbon compositematerial, elastomer and the like but should have sufficient rigidity tonot easily alter its shape along its length. Thus, when the mount 12 ispositioned on the bicycle handlebars 14 and extends along arcuateportions thereof, the mount 12 will not easily rotate with respect tothe bicycle handlebars 14. The perimeter wall of the mount willtypically have a thickness of less than 0.50 inches and a length fromthe first end to the second end being less than 12.0 inches. Althoughadjacent ones of the assemblies 10 are shown as abutting in FIG. 1, thisis not required and often will not be the case. The mount 12, as itwould be understood, is easily positioned on and removed from thebicycle handlebars 14 to allow the assembly 10 to facilitateretrofitting with existing bicycle handlebars as well to allow for easyreplacement and/or variance as needed.

A cushioning member 40 is non-removably attached to the mount 12. Thecushioning member 40 is elongated with respect to a line extending alongthe perimeter wall 24 from the first end 20 to the second end 22. Thecushioning member 40 may be positioned opposite the break 26 and may bespaced from the break 26 such that the lower portion 34 of the mount 12is completely free of the cushioning member 40. More specifically, thecushioning member 40 may be positioned solely on the upper portion 32though a portion of the cushioning member 40 may also be positioned onthe central portion 36 as well. This will allow the assembly 10 to serveits purpose as a cushion for a particular portion of a person's handwithout adding too greatly to the overall circumference of the bicyclehandlebars 14 such that they feel unnatural or uncomfortable to therider. Specifically, the cushioning member 40 forms a cushioned supportupon which a rider will rest their hands generally and more purposelythe lower portion of their palms near the wrists and bottom of thethumbs.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cushioning member 40 comprises abladder 42 having an interior space 43 that is fillable with compressedair to form a cushion. The bladder 42 structure may comprise aself-contained air pocket that is adhered or formed onto the mount 12.Alternatively, the bladder 42 may comprise a panel 44 that has a topside 46, a bottom side 48 and a perimeter edge 50. The bottom side 48 ofthe panel 44, adjacent to the perimeter edge 50, is adhered to an outersurface of the perimeter wall 24 such that an airtight seal, coextensivewith the perimeter edge 50, is formed between the bottom side 48 and theouter surface of the perimeter wall 24. The panel 44 may be adhered tothe mount 12 in any number of ways but one method of bonding which maybe preferred is bonding the two permanently together utilizing radiofrequency welding (RF welding). This method works particularly wellshould the materials of the mount 12 and the panel 44 be sufficientlythin and comprise a plastic material well suited to RF welding.Alternate methods may include, for example, heat welding, adhesives,stitching or combinations thereof. In all cases, the panel 44 will forma unitary structure with the perimeter wall 24 such that it cannot beremoved from the mount 12. The panel 44 is comprised of a resilientlyflexible material which may have some elasticity for allowing the panel44 to slightly stretch as well. However, as with a conventionalbasketball or football, the bladder 42 will generally retain its shapeas long the air therein is above atmospheric pressure and will retainthis same shape up to at least 1.5 times the atmospheric pressure andpotentially up to at least 4.0 times the atmospheric pressure.

A valve 52 is in fluid communication with the interior space 43 of thebladder 42. The valve 52 is configured to receive the compressed intothe interior space 43. The valve 52 may comprise a conventional one wayair valve to retain the compressed air within the interior space 43. Onetype of valve may be such that it receives a needle from a conventionaltire/ball pump. Alternatively, the valve 52 may be tire valve of thetype including a pin for releasing/allowing air and which is fluidlycouplable to a bike tire pump which clamps onto the valve 52. The valve52 may be mounted within a housing 54 which includes a perimeter flange56. The perimeter flange 56 is attached to and sealed against the bottomside 48 of the panel 44 to form an airtight seal with the panel 44. Thevalve 52, though shown as a one way valve, may be configured to includean air release. Furthermore, the assembly 10 may include a built in airpump structure as has been found in the athletic shoe industry. Such apump is found, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,435 incorporatedherein by reference.

In another embodiment of the invention, the bladder 42 above may befilled with a gel material 58. The gel material 58 would typically besealed within the bladder 42 such that the valve 52 would not be needed.A gel material 58 may work well for its ability to retain its shape fora short period of time. Alternatively, the bladder 42 may insteadcomprise a pocket housing a compressible foam material 60. The foammaterial 60 is a conventional foamed elastomer and may include what areubiquitously known as gel foams. The foam material 60 may also retainits shape for a short period of time and further includes the benefit ofnot having to be in a sealed bladder. Moreover, if a foam material 60 isutilized, the panel 44 may be comprised of a breathable material.

In use, the assembly 10, and more typically multiple ones thereof, aremounted onto bicycle handlebars 14 by snapping the mount 12 into placeon the bicycle handlebars 14. If the bladder 42 is to be filled with airand include a valve 52, the user will then selectively pump air into thebladder 42 until the bladder 42 has a desired compressibility. The user,who is also presumably a rider of the bicycle, will then utilize theassembly 10 to cushion the areas of the hand which receive the mostpressure due to the rider leaning forward and supporting their weight onthe bicycle handlebars 14. The cushioning member 40 cushions the lowerpalm regions to provide comfort and prevent nerve compression and painin these areas.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodimentenabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials,shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and allequivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings anddescribed in the specification are intended to be encompassed by anembodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of thedisclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used inits non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word areincluded, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. Areference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

1. A cushioned grip assembly configured for being removably positionedon bicycle handlebars, said assembly comprising: a mount configured toreleasably engage and be retained on bicycle handlebars, said mountbeing configured to snap onto and frictionally engage the bicyclehandlebars, said mount having a first end and a second end and beingelongated from said first end to said second end; and a cushioningmember being non-removably attached to said mount, said cushioningmember being resiliently compressible.
 2. The cushioned grip assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said perimeter wall has an elongated breaktherein extending between and through said first and second ends, afirst free edge of said perimeter wall and a second free edge of saidperimeter wall being defined on opposite sides of said break, whereinsaid break is configured to receive the handlebars such that said mountsnaps onto and frictionally engages said handlebars.
 3. The cushionedgrip assembly according to claim 2, wherein said perimeter wall has anupper portion and a lower portion positioned opposite of each other,said break being positioned in said lower portion, said mount beingcomprised of a resiliently bendable material.
 4. The cushioned gripassembly according to claim 3, wherein said cushioning member comprises:a bladder having an interior space being fillable with compressed air;and a valve being in fluid communication with said interior space ofsaid bladder, wherein said valve is configured to receive the compressedair into said interior space, said valve comprising a one way air valveto retain the compressed air within said interior space.
 5. Thecushioned grip assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cushioningmember comprises: a bladder having an interior space being fillable withcompressed air; and a valve being in fluid communication with saidinterior space of said bladder, wherein said valve is configured toreceive the compressed air into said interior space, said valvecomprising a one way air valve to retain the compressed air within saidinterior space.
 6. The cushioned grip assembly according to claim 5,wherein said bladder comprises a panel having a top side, a bottom sideand a perimeter edge, said bottom side of said panel being adhered to anouter surface of said perimeter wall such that an airtight sealcoextensive with said perimeter edge is formed between said bottom sideand said outer surface.
 7. The cushioned grip assembly according toclaim 6, wherein said panel is comprised of a resiliently flexiblematerial.
 8. The cushioned grip assembly according to claim 1, whereinsaid cushioning member comprises a pocket having a compressible foammaterial positioned therein.
 9. The cushioned grip assembly according toclaim 3, wherein said cushioning member comprises a pocket having acompressible foam material positioned therein.
 10. The cushioned gripassembly according to claim 3, wherein said cushioning member comprisesa bladder having an interior space being filled with a gel, said gelbeing sealed within said bladder.
 11. The cushioned grip assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said cushioning member comprises a bladderhaving an interior space being filled with a gel, said gel being sealedwithin said bladder.
 12. The cushioned grip assembly according to claim11, wherein said bladder comprises a panel having a top side, a bottomside and a perimeter edge, said bottom side of said panel being adheredto an outer surface of said perimeter wall such that an airtight sealcoextensive with said perimeter edge is formed between said bottom sideand said outer surface.
 13. The cushioned grip assembly according toclaim 12, wherein said perimeter wall has an elongated break thereinextending between and through said first and second ends, a first freeedge of said perimeter wall and a second free edge of said perimeterwall being defined on opposite sides of said break, wherein said breakis configured to receive the handlebars such that said mount snaps ontoand frictionally engages said handlebars.
 14. The cushioned gripassembly according to claim 13, wherein said perimeter wall has an upperportion and a lower portion positioned opposite of each other, saidbreak being positioned in said lower portion, said mount being comprisedof a resiliently bendable material.
 15. The cushioned grip assemblyaccording to claim 1, wherein said cushioning member is elongated withrespect to a line extending along said perimeter wall from said firstend to said second end.
 16. A cushioned grip assembly configured forbeing removably positioned on bicycle handlebars, said assemblycomprising: a mount configured to releasably engage and be retained onbicycle handlebars, said mount being configured to snap onto andfrictionally engage the bicycle handlebars, said mount having a firstend and a second end and being elongated from said first end to saidsecond end, said mount having a perimeter wall extending between saidfirst and second ends, said perimeter wall having an elongated breaktherein extending between and through said first and second ends, afirst free edge of said perimeter wall and a second free edge of saidperimeter wall being defined on opposite sides of said break, whereinsaid break is configured to receive the handlebars such that said mountsnaps onto and frictionally engages said handlebars, said perimeter wallhaving an upper portion and a lower portion positioned opposite of eachother, said break being positioned in said lower portion, said mountbeing comprised of a resiliently bendable material; a cushioning memberbeing non-removably attached to said mount, said cushioning member beingresiliently compressible, said cushioning member being elongated withrespect to a line extending along said perimeter wall from said firstend to said second end, said cushioning member comprising a bladder,said bladder having an interior space being fillable with compressedair, said bladder comprising a panel having a top side, a bottom sideand a perimeter edge, said bottom side of said panel being adhered to anouter surface of said perimeter wall such that an airtight sealcoextensive with said perimeter edge is formed between said bottom sideand said outer surface, said panel being comprised of a resilientlyflexible material, said panel forming a unitary structure with saidperimeter wall, said bladder being positioned opposite of said break;and a valve being in fluid communication with said interior space ofsaid bladder, wherein said valve is configured to receive the compressedair into said interior space, said valve comprising a one way air valveto retain the compressed air within said interior space.
 17. A cushionedgrip system comprising: a bicycle handlebars; a mount releasablyengaging said bicycle handlebars, said mount being configured to snaponto and frictionally engage said bicycle handlebars, said mount havinga first end and a second end and being elongated from said first end tosaid second end; and a cushioning member being non-removably attached tosaid mount, said cushioning member being resiliently compressible. 18.The cushioned grip system according to claim 17, wherein said perimeterwall has an elongated break therein extending between and through saidfirst and second ends, a first free edge of said perimeter wall and asecond free edge of said perimeter wall being defined on opposite sidesof said break, wherein said break receives said bicycle handlebars suchthat said mount snaps onto and frictionally engages said handlebars. 19.The cushioned grip system according to claim 18, wherein said perimeterwall has an upper portion and a lower portion positioned opposite ofeach other, said break being positioned in said lower portion, saidmount being comprised of a resiliently bendable material.
 20. Thecushioned grip system according to claim 19, wherein said cushioningmember comprises: a bladder having an interior space being fillable withcompressed air; and a valve being in fluid communication with saidinterior space of said bladder, wherein said valve is configured toreceive the compressed air into said interior space, said valvecomprising a one way air valve to retain the compressed air within saidinterior space.
 21. The cushioned grip system according to claim 21,wherein said bladder comprises a panel having a top side, a bottom sideand a perimeter edge, said bottom side of said panel being adhered to anouter surface of said perimeter wall such that an airtight sealcoextensive with said perimeter edge is formed between said bottom sideand said outer surface.
 22. The cushioned grip system according to claim19, wherein said cushioning member comprises a pocket having acompressible foam material positioned therein.
 23. The cushioned gripsystem according to claim 19, wherein said cushioning member comprises abladder having an interior space being filled with a gel, said gel beingsealed within said bladder.
 24. The cushioned grip system according toclaim 17, wherein said cushioning member comprises a pocket having acompressible foam material positioned therein.
 25. The cushioned gripsystem according to claim 17, wherein said cushioning member comprises abladder having an interior space being filled with a gel, said gel beingsealed within said bladder.